Severan dynasty

Uncommon card · No. 139923

The Severan dynasty, sometimes called the Septimian dynasty, ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235. It was founded by the emperor Septimius Severus (r. 193–211) and Julia Domna, his wife, when Septimius emerged victorious from civil war of 193–197, which began with the Year of the Five Emperors. Their two sons, Caracalla (r. 192–217) and Geta (r. 211), ruled briefly after the death of Septimius. In 217–218 there was a short interruption of dynasty's control over the empire by reigns of Macrinus (r. 217–218) and his son Diadumenian (r. 218) before Julia Domna's relatives assumed power by raising her two grandnephews, Elagabalus (r. 218–222) and Severus Alexander (r. 222–235), in succession to the imperial office. The dynasty's women, Julia Domna, the mother of Caracalla and Geta, and her sister, Julia Maesa, the mother of Julia Soaemias and Julia Mamaea, mothers of Elagabalus and Severus Alexander respectively, were all powerful augustae. They were also instrumental in securing imperial...

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